High intensity electrical radiation or multi-element image furnace



March 1, 1960 G. J. WENDELKEN 2,927,137

HIGH INTENS ELECT AL RADI ON OR MU M I E F R INVENTOR. Gerard J.Wendelken ki/Mum,

ATTORNEY United States Patent HIGH INTENSITY ELECTRICAL RADIATION ORMULTI-ELEMENT IMAGE FURNACE Gerard J. Wendellren, New York,N.Y.,'assignor, by

. mesne assignments, to Waltham Precision Instrument Company, Inc.,Waltham, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application December 30,1957, Serial No. 705,974

1 Claim. (Cl. 219-34) This invention relates to an electrical radiation'or multi-element image furnace that is used for the generation ofhighintensity thermal energy.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide an electricalradiation or multi-element image furnace that will generate thermalenergy and very high temperatures suitable for use in the researchlaboratory and and magnetic fields, and in any desired type ofatmosphere, either under pressure or in a vacuum.

It is still another object of the invention to provide an electricalradiation or multi-element image furnace that can generate an extremelydense heat flux over relatively large dimensional areas, and in whichthe amount of heat can be controlled, manually or automatically.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a radiation furnacethat will be capable of simulating some of the conditions prevailing inthe operation of nuclear devices.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an electrical radiation ormulti-element image furnace, having the above objects in mind,'which isof simple construction, operable independently of sun rays or otherintermittent sources of radiant energy, inexpensive to manufacture,relatively compact, effective and eflicient in operation, is assembledfor sectionalization of the individual radiant source assemblies, can beused for thermochemical and pyro-metallurgical studies and analysis,suitable for zone refining of preciousor rare metals, crystaldevelopment, thermal shock, thermal cycling of materials and permitsattainment of rapid changes in temperature under controlled conditions.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to thefollowing detailed description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing, in which A single figure is a layoutview illustrating thearrangement of the radiant source assemblies constituting thisinvention.

According to the present invention, there is provided generallyassemblies of elliptical reflectors R having near and distant focalpoints C and S and in an are or circular manner so that the distantfocal points and images are imposed upon one another at a common pointC. At the near focal point of each reflector, there is disposed a sourceS of high intense radiant energy, such as may be derived from a carbonarc. The radiant energy from each individual source is thus directed bythe elliptical reflectors to the same common or distant focal pointlocated at the center of the circle and will thereat generate highintensity thermal energy into which the samples or work material may bethrust.

The reflectors R are circmnferentially-spaced from one another toaccommodate control equipment E and E for the radiant heat sources.While only six reflectors R are shown, it shall be understood that moreor less reflectors can be used. If more reflectors are used the controlequipment E and B may be disposed above or below the reflectors insteadof between them as illustrated. It should also be apparent that multiplerows of elliptical reflectors R can be provided and arranged in the formof a sphere with each of the reflectors having their distant focalpoints located at the center of the sphere. Only the elliptical type ofreflector has the two focal points and with the distant focal pointsbeing such that they come within convenient range of one another theassemblies can be brought together in close assembled relationshipwithin furnace walls.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shallbe understood that such changes will be within the spirit and scope ofthe present invention as defined by the appended claim.

' What is claimed is: i

A high-intensity electrical radiation multi-element image furnacecomprising a plurality of independently controllable ellipticalreflector assemblies, each of said elliptical reflector assemblieshaving near and distant focal points and a radiant energy heat sourcedisposed at the near focal point, said reflector assemblies beingarranged in the form of a sphere with their distant focal points beingimposed upon one another at the center of the sphere said reflectorassemblies being circumferentially spaced from one another andindependent control equip ment for the radiant energy heat source ofeach of the reflector assemblies disposed respectively between andadjacent to the respective assemblies.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,278,026 Sal-to Sept. 3, 1918 1,762,325 Blair et a1. June 10, 19302,315,124 Luzius Mar. 30, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 186,449 Great BritainGet. 5, 1922 387,901 Germany .Q. Jan. 5, 1924 484,199 Great Britain Apr.28, 1938 856,196 Germany Nov. 20, 1952 1,022,227 France Dec. 10, 19521,051,784 France Sept. 23, 1953 938,499 Germany Feb. 2, 1956

